M&S seeks 30% cut in HVAC costs

UK: Retailer Marks & Spencer is to use AI data in a trial to reduce HVAC costs by up to 30% across its estate of more than one thousand UK stores. 

The move is one of eight new investments in collaborative, pioneering projects, funded through Marks & Spencer’s Plan A Accelerator Fund, to help achieve its net zero goals by 2040.

The new trial across six stores will use AI data to predict a store’s optimal heating, ventilation and air conditioning controls to reduce energy consumption. The aim is to reduce HVAC costs by up to 30% which, if rolled out across the M&S estate, could save an estimated 2,000 tonnes of carbon and around £3m annually.